UPDATE: The New Jersey 2029 Quarterback Class – Jan. 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a few months since the New Jersey 2029 Quarterback Watchlist has been updated and this January update is a big one. Between post-season play, new prospects posting up film and new names coming to light--there's been a significant change in the landscape. Take a look at the Quarterbacks below and buckle up for a bright future in the Garden State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>2029 Quarterbacks Ready For Offers Right Now</strong></span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155914"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679264aea66d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The future Bergen Catholic Crusader has been New Jersey's top 2029 Quarterback for over two years and has only widened the gap from the majority of QBs in that time. Son of former New York Giant great Chris Snee and grandson of legendary coach, Tom Coughlin. He's the best 8th grade Quarterback in New Jersey that I've seen since current New York Giant, Tommy DeVito. Snee already holds an offer from Syracuse and should pile the O's up within months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1272681"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679264aea6769"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When current DePaul Catholic Quarterback and consensus top 2026 NJ signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='275127' first='Derek' last='Zammit'] heads off to school next year, the rich will only get richer when Merriman suits up for the Spartans. The son of former NFL great Linebacker turned media mogul, Shawne Merriman,. [player_tooltip player_id='1272681' first='Justin' last='Merriman'] has established himself as not only a talented passer, but his excellent mobility has taken him to a new level. He's visited Maryland and Syracuse already, I'd be shocked if those two didn't offer within months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Central Jersey 2029 Quarterbacks To Know</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1608011,"width":"585px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/Boehm-Feature.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1608011" style="width:585px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1524951' first='Dylan' last='Boehm'] looks to make a play against the Edison Jets</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1524951"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6792ab9ac1aab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A dual-threat Quarterback who has been clocked at 4.92 in the forty, Boehm wrapped up a storied youth career with Somerville-Branchburg United in Somerset County. During the 2024 season, he led the 13U Pioneers to the D2 Central Jersey Pop Warner Championship Game. Additionally possessing a strong arm on top of his speed, he's also a stand out on the baseball diamond and has already had his fastball clocked at 83 mph.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401014' first='Gregory' last='Wyche Jr.']</strong> - An exciting dual-threat Quarterback who ran the RPO to near perfection this season. Was at the helm for the Rancocas Valley Hurricanes in Burlington County this year and paced the squad to a South Jersey Independent Youth Football Association (SJIYFA) Junior High Varsity Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601411' first='Jake' last='Jones'] </strong>- A Quarterback who possesses, from anyone I've spoken to, all the intangibles a high school program could want as its leader. The Somerset County native was the CEO of a Hillsborough Raiders A Team that captured the New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL) American Division in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371555' first='Jayden' last='Schmalz']</strong> - The Middlesex County native played a lot of competitive football during his middle school years for several different programs. He put an exclamation point on his pre-high school career by leading Piscataway Middle School to an 8-0 record and Big Central Middle School Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1567241' first='Tyler' last='Shea']</strong> - Served as QB1 of an explosive Old Bridge team that finished 5-1-2 in a very competitive New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL) American Division. A native of Middlesex County, Shea's play earned him a selection to the NJSYFL 8th Grade All-Star Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">South Jersey 2029 Quarterbacks To Know</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"width":"585px","height":"auto"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/Keeanu-Darji-QB-29-crop-1542x1013-1716236200.jpg" alt="" style="width:585px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>[player_tooltip player_id='972768' first='Keeanu' last='Darji'] at the PRZ Next Middle School Camp in May 2024</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["972768"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6792aa7477622"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In my mind the future Roman Catholic QB the most complete, varsity-ready and closest to being offerable signal caller in all of South Jersey for the class of 2029. The Camden County native led the Woodbury Steelers of the Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL) to a 10-1 record in the 2024. Despite two victories coming via forfeit and one game being called at half time, he drove the bus of an offense that outscored its opponents 350-20 in just 8.5 actual games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561090' first='Amare' last='Roy']</strong> - Despite missing some time this year and the Eastern Jr. Vikings finishing with 2-8 record, good for 9th out of 12 teams in the National Conference of the Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL), [player_tooltip player_id='1561090' first='Amare' last='Roy'] looks like a Quarterback to know going forward. The Camden County native is a dual-threat kid with an athletic frame that may end up playing Wide Receiver or Safety in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401161' first='Bryyan' last='Loatman'] </strong>- An injury took nearly all of his eighth-grade season from him, but his play in pervious seasons for the Sterling Jr. Knights of the Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL) showed off more than enough of his dual-threat ability. A Camden County resident, Loatman has announced he'll be suiting up for St. Augustine Prep in his comeback season as a freshman in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darnell Davis Jr </strong>- Hands down the fastest and most athletic 2029 Quarterback in South Jersey, by a healthy margin. Served as the starter at QB, but did split time, for the Deptford Spartans of the Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL) to a 10-1 record in the 2024. Despite two victories coming via forfeit and one game being called at half time, he drove the bus of an offense that outscored its opponents 311-26 in just 8.5 actual games. He's off to Camden High School, where his most immediate impact will likely come as a Cornerback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/desmond-rudanovic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371464' first='Desmond' last='Rudanovic']</strong></a> - An absolute physical specimen for an eighth-grader, already standing 6-foot-6 and 195-pounds, he's the tallest Quarterback in this write up by a few good inaches. Before heading off to DePaul Catholic for high school ball, where he's been committed to since June 2024, this past season he helped lead the Bergen County Stars 13U team to a Big Tri-State Championship. Despite playing for the North Jersey-based Stars team, Rudanovic is actually a Middlesex County native.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1140616' first='Frank' last='Hoerst'] </strong>- If looking at the Quarterback with the most varsity-ready body and biggest upside in all of the 2029 South Jersey Quarterbacks, look no further than Salem County's [player_tooltip player_id='1140616' first='Frank' last='Hoerst']. Already standing 6-foot-3 and 190-pounds as of January 2025, Hoerst quarterback'd the Woodstown Pirates to an 8-3 record in 2024, in the daunting Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL) American Division. He has also has an NFL Flag National Championship (2024) and USA Flag World Championship (2025) under his belt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561071' first='Javon' last='Thompson']</strong> - Yet another Quarterback out of the Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL), Gloucester County's Thompson has the potential to become a serious player as he progresses. As noted by <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/scouts-notes-quarterbacks-from-the-northeast-middle-school-camp/">his performance</a> at our PRZ Next Middle School Camp in New Jersey, he isn't afraid to roll the dice for a big win. He was surrounded by great talent on the Monroe Twp. Braves this season and was the connective tissue of it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1429449' first='JP' last='Orihel'] </strong>- Physically he has some significant growing and physically maturing to do, but the Washington Twp. Minutemen QB has ability and potential in his small frame. The Gloucester County native throws a beautiful ball--both on platform and off--and helped Washington Twp. to an 8-2 record and third place finish in the Liberty Division of the South Jersey Independent Youth Football Association (SJIYFA) this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401070' first='Mason' last='Caveng']</strong> - In no way is this a slight towards his teammates, just speaking in comparison of talent around the Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL), but perhaps no South Jersey 2029 Quarterback did more with with less around him than Delsea's [player_tooltip player_id='1401070' first='Mason' last='Caveng']. A thick, strong, muscle-bound kid, he wasn't necessarily the most talented QB in the league but played the position with a physical dual-threat style and helped the Knights finish 4-5 in the National Conference. His future may be brightest as a Linebacker or Edge player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560958' first='Seth' last='Dozier'] </strong>- In full disclosure, as of January 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1560958' first='Seth' last='Dozier'] is certainly more of a budding star on the basketball court than he is on the football field--but the kid is a heck of a football player too. Without question Dozier is one of Atlantic County's top overall athletes, and was one of the obvious standouts on a Pleasantville Jokers team that finished 5-4 in the American Conference of the Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561070' first='Zane' last='Forest'] </strong>- Rounding out a look at some of South Jersey's top 2029 Quarterbacks, is Atlantic County's [player_tooltip player_id='1561070' first='Zane' last='Forest']. I'd label him as an Athlete or Safety as of January 2025, but there's no denying what he brought to the table as a Quarterback this past season for May's Landing. Under his guide, the Lakers finished 8-2 in the National Conference of the Tri-County United Football League (TCUFL) in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Shore 2029 Quarterbacks To Know</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1608685,"width":"585px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/Rivera-29-Feature-7.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1608685" style="width:585px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1016186' first='Rahmir' last='Rivera'] scans the field in a game against Jackson in October 2024</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1016186"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67939e2735695"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you've followed along over the last two-three years, it's not secret how I feel about the type of player the Ocean County QB has blossomed into. His resume is as impressive as any eighth-grade Quarterback in the country, with accolades from anywhere and everywhere. This season was especially impressive for Rivera, as he Quarterback'd the Toms River to the AYF 14U D2 title game--for the first time in the programs history. His dual-threat play earned him the team's Overall MVP and a trip to the AYF 8th Grade National All-Star Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1536339' first='Brice' last='Rhoden']</strong> - In Monmouth County, the Long Branch Green Wave program is usually riddled with impressive playmakers. Rhoden served as the Quarterback for the talented group this season and helped them make a strong playoff push. Rhoden is an athletic kid who plays multiple sports, and while he got the job done on the youth level, it wouldn't surprise me to see him move to Wide Receiver or Defensive Back at some point to maximize his skill set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1586789' first='Chris' last='McClaren']</strong> - The potential is certainly here and I strongly feel the best is yet to come for Howell's [player_tooltip player_id='1586789' first='Chris' last='McClaren']. The Monmouth County kid really started to blossom during the 2024 season, not only as a Quarterback, but as an over football player. Also a Safety and even some Wide Receiver play, he's an athlete. His play landed him on the Jersey Shore 14U AYF Conference All-Star team, which finished fifth in the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Note: [player_tooltip player_id='1272681' first='Justin' last='Merriman'] (listed above) is also a Quarterback from the Shore, as he QB'd Manalapan in Monmouth County.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">North Jersey 2029 Quarterbacks To Know</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1608689,"width":"585px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/David-Ciliento-Jr-29-Feature-4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1608689" style="width:585px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1371693' first='David' last='Ciliento Jr.'] aims and fires at the PRZ Next Middle School Camp in December 2024</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1371693"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67939e273571e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Looking back at the 2024 season, there was not a more dominant team in North Jersey than the Wood-Ridge Blue Devils. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1371693' first='David' last='Ciliento Jr.'] was the straw that stirred the drink for the Bergen County team, as they ran roughshod through the Meadowlands football league, out scoring their opponents 252-12 in eight regular season games. The strong right arm of Ciliento Jr. continued to pace the Blue Devils in the playoffs and straight to the championship game, finishing the season with an unblemished 11-0 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bergen County</span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598950' first='Adrian' last='Mendoza']</strong> - In an always-competitive Bi-County Junior Scholastic Football League (BCJSL), Mendoza served as the starting Quarterback for the league-champion Cliffside Park Royal Raiders during the 2024 season. A co-op of Ridgefield and Cliffside Park, Mendoza and the Royal Raiders shutout a previously unbeaten Lodi team, 26-0 in the championship game. A short-striding, dual-threat QB, Mendoza is a kid that may sneak up on some people over the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cole Vinci </strong>- Despite missing three games this year due to a concussion, Vinci made the most of his 2024 season. The dual-threat QB was a big factor fin Northern Highlands winning the Northern Bergen Junior Football League (NBJFL) Championship. A team captain as well, Vinci and the talented 2029 class finished the season 9-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1609536' first='Drew' last='Cacavella']</strong> - The Hillsdale youth program was well-represented in the Bergen County Junior Football League (BCJFL) All-Star Game for this past November, with five Hawks earning a nod to the game, including Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1609536' first='Drew' last='Cacavella']. The righty helped the Hawks reach the second round of the league playoffs and displayed dual-threat ability throughout the season. Additionally, he can really let the ball fly when he gets an opportunity to step into his throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597154' first='Hudson' last='Reid']</strong> - It appears another Reid will soon be taking the field on Friday nights for Ramey. [player_tooltip player_id='1597154' first='Hudson' last='Reid'] move on to high school, just as his brother [player_tooltip player_id='1105209' first='Chase' last='Reid'] (3rd Team All-State) moves on to Salve Regina University. Hudson shined at both Quarterback and Defensive Back for Ramey this year, scoring 20 touchdowns in 10 games. A dual-threat QB, he was selected to the Northern Bergen Junior Football League (NBJFL) All-Star Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1609529' first='Jack' last='Branagh']</strong> - A really good looking Southpaw Quarterback coming out of of the Mahwah youth program. Branagh helped propel the Thunderbirds Senior team to a 6-3 record this season in a very competitive Northern Bergen Junior Football League (NBJFL). He looked the part on the field in 2024 making a number of really impressive throws on the film I was able to check out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1141061' first='Jimmy' last='Derwin']</strong> - A native of Midland Park, Derwin suited up for Silk City 14U during the 2024 season and split time with [player_tooltip player_id='1514895' first='Damien' last='Pierro'] at Quarterback. Derwin has grown a considerable amount in the last calendar year and continued to show off a talented arm throughout the 2024 season. Out of all the Quarterbacks in this writeup, he arguably does the best job of changing his arm angle in order to make the necessary throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597166' first='Mark' last='Spano']</strong> - Coming out of the River Dell youth program in the Northern Bergen Junior Football League (NBJFL), [player_tooltip player_id='1597166' first='Mark' last='Spano'] helped lead the River Dell Senior Team to an 8-2 record and appearance in the championship game in 2024. Spano has a very pronounced throwing motion and keeps that right elbow up high. Plays with dual-threat ability and good quickness/agility and was selected for the NBJFL All-Star Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584228' first='Roman' last='Ciurciu'] </strong>- Nowhere near the size of some of the other QBs on this list as of January 2025, but his genetics, work ethic and potential are all good reasons to keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1584228' first='Roman' last='Ciurciu']. The son of eight-year NFL vet and Saint Joe's (Montvale) HOF'er Vinny Ciurciu, there's something I like about Roman. He throws a tight spiral with some pop on the shorter/quicker routes. If the size and strength come and he can tie it all together during high school, he could sneak up on people.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601524' first='Will' last='Dell'Aglio']</strong> - Dell'Aglio wrapped up a standout youth career with Midland Park in 2024 and was selected to the Bergen County Junior Football League (BCJFL) All-Star Game for this past November. Brings a dual-threat style of play and showed off above average speed which allowed him to pull away from trailing defenders, once into open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Note: [player_tooltip player_id='1155914' first='Walker' last='Snee'] (listed above) is also a Quarterback from North Jersey, as he QB'd Franklin Lakes in Bergen County.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Essex County</span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466123' first='Bray' last='Brown'] </strong>- Before too long I think the terms "dual-threat" and "pro-style" Quarterback will be obsolete because the game is getting faster and more mobile, with that said, Brown gets the label of dual-threat as of January 2025. The son of former Notre Dame/Cleveland Brown Wide Receiver Bobby Brown, Bray is a Wide Receiver turned Quarterback out of South Orange who played for the Dark Knights. Extremely athletic and possibly even a better basketball player. I wouldn't rule out a switch back to the WR position come high school, based on his skill set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1544057' first='Ben' last='Cirigliano'] </strong>- An outstanding Quarterback/Linebacker combo and throwback type of player. Cirigliano helped lead Fairfield to a birth in the West Essex Junior Football League Championship Game, after going 7-0 and having an undefeated regular season. Finished the season with 13 passing touchdowns and a pair of rushing TDs as well. While stats may look mundane and workman-like, Fairfield doesn't have the season it did with out his play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cameron Thomas</strong> - A standout from the always-dangerous Brick City Lions program, Thomas clearly doesn't skip his any days or any reps at the gym. Thomas is a dual-threat Quarterback with a very live arm and enough athleticism to truthfully play anywhere on the field. Predicting the future is never easy, but I have to imagine he'll have an opportunity to play several positions early in high school--depending on where he goes to school. Time will tell here, but it would be insane to leave him out of this writeup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Widener</strong> - While his lack of size can't be over-looked as of January 2025, his film tells the story of a prospect with upside and potential once that growth spurt hits. Sharing time with fellow QB Nick Ward, Widener helped West Orange Mustangs A Team finished the regular season with a 4-2-2 record in the tough New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL) American Division. His quick release, anticipation and timing are all areas that specifically popped on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1558872' first='Manny' last='Roberson Jr.']</strong> - Essex County's [player_tooltip player_id='1558872' first='Manny' last='Roberson Jr.'] should be a breakout star when he hits the high school ranks. He's a dual-threat Quarterback with impressive jets, but it's his arm talent in conjunction with his legs, that should make people most excited. He was a big reason for the success of the Jackie Robinson Bears team this year in the Newark Pop Warner conference. If he tacks on a few more inches, he could have a future playing football at an advanced level after high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597184' first='Mason' last='Schmidt']</strong> - Another Quarterback out of the West Essex Junior Football League, Schmidt served as QB1 of the league-championship-winning Verona Eagles in the 2024 season. He needs to get both taller and heavier, before the next level even begins to take looks at him, but with his speed--he's one to watch. On top of his dual-threat ability on the field, I love the fact that Schmidt and Verona avenged their lone loss in the regular season (in the last game of the season) by defeating Fairfield just three weeks later in the title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Ward</strong> - The West Orange Mustangs A Team finished the regular season with a 4-2-2 record in the tough New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL) American Division in 2024. Ward split time with fellow QB Jacob Widener (listed above). Ward passes the eye test with a thick 5-foot-9 and 165-pound build and had a very nice group of playmakers around him and some future standouts on the O-Line in front of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Hudson County</span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371657' first='Aidan' last='Ben-Meir'] </strong>- Union City used two Quarterbacks to get creative, keep defenses off guard and dominate their way to an 11-0 undefeated season an All-County Football League championship in 2024. Ben-Meir is a Southpaw signal caller and has been one of the better QBs in Hudson County over the last two or so years. A very balanced QB, he tallied 11 total touchdowns with six coming through the air and five coming on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1375217' first='Cohen' last='Watson']</strong> - The other Quarterback in the two-QB system that worked so well for Union City in 2024 was [player_tooltip player_id='1375217' first='Cohen' last='Watson']. Watson was instrumental in helping the Chiefs go 11-0 on the season and interestingly enough was also a left-handed Quarterback--making the only Southpaw 1,2 punch that I know of in the state. Unlike Ben-Meir, I can see Watson and his physical presence becoming a factor as a Safety or Outside Linebacker too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Morris County</span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402714' first='AJ' last='MacCracken']</strong> - Despite a very rough 2024 season, in which the Twin Boros Bears finished in the basement of the Freedom Conference of the Morris County Football Youth League (MCYFL), there should be optimism around the Southpaw Quarterback. The son of a Jacksonville Jaguars front office executive, MacCracken can throw a beautiful deep ball. For proof of this, just check out his film. He kicks off his 2024 highlight tape with a 35-yard, off-platform dime, hitting his Wide Receiver in stride.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1418772' first='Austin' last='Ruane']</strong> - Randolph's [player_tooltip player_id='1418772' first='Austin' last='Ruane'] is a Quarterback that established himself as one of the better QBs in the county with his youth career coming to and end. He came off a foot injury early in the year and rallied to help the Bulldogs finish fourth in the Freedom Conference of the Morris County Football Youth League (MCYFL) this season. He'll be off to DePaul Catholic in the fall, joining fellow 2029 QBs [player_tooltip player_id='1272681' first='Justin' last='Merriman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1371464' first='Desmond' last='Rudanovic']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/george-englekraut/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566331' first='George' last='Engelkraut']</strong></a> - When it comes to Quarterback play in Morris County for the 2029 class, Chatham's [player_tooltip player_id='1566331' first='George' last='Engelkraut'] is the top dog as of January 2025. An outstanding Pro-Style Quarterback that led the Chatham Cougars A team to a 7-0-1 in the American Division of the New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL). His impressive ride of a 2024 season continued in the NJSYFL All-Star Game, where he earned an Offensive MVP award. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597186' first='Rocco' last='Gallo'] </strong>- The 2024 season brought the close to an absolutely incredibly three-year run by the class of 2029 Mount Olive Marauders, as they won their third straight Morris County Youth Football League (MCYFL) Freedom Conference Championship and ended their youth career on a 39-game winning streak. Gallo was the impressive Quarterback of this group, earning Freedom Conference Player of the Year honors in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Passaic County</span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1514895' first='Damien' last='Pierro'] </strong>- The Hawthorne native suited up for Silk City 14U this year and continued to diversify his QB profile. He's a tough, competitive kid who possesses that "IT" factor and has an engine that burns hot in big game situations. He's a an athletic kid that did a lot to show off his arm strength and ability to plant his foot in the ground and get up field in a hurry, this season. He's continuing to sharpen his passing skills this off-season, but I wouldn't rule out his most immediate impact coming on the defensive side of the ball as a Strong Safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1524962' first='Mikey' last='Castellitto']</strong> - Yet another Silk City product included in this writeup, Castellitto led the 13U team during the 2024 season. The Totowa native plays brings toughness to the Quarterback position and brings dual-threat ability to the position. He's a strong, muscular kid who plays with power and speed. He can escape the pocket with relative ease, and it almost seems as if the throws the ball better on the move than he does in the pocket. He's not the tallest kid in the world as of January 2025, so keep an eye on height. But his ability is absolutely there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Sussex County</span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562560' first='Joey' last='Scarpone']</strong> - While there may not be as much population or talent all the way up top at the state's most Northern tip, there is certainly some players that can gi. For proof of that, look no further than Pope John XXIII Regional High School of Sparta, which reached the State Championship Game. As of January 2025, [player_tooltip player_id='1562560' first='Joey' last='Scarpone'] hasn't publicly said what his intentions are for next year, but the Wallkill Valley prospect is dual-threat and full of athleticism. Despite missing time, was a major factor in the Rangers' 2024 American Conference Championship in the Morris County Youth Football League (MCYFL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Union County </span></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570628' first='Luke' last='Sawicki']</strong> - Like several other Quarterbacks listed across the state in this writeup, Cranford's [player_tooltip player_id='1570628' first='Luke' last='Sawicki'] likely has a higher ceiling as an overall athlete--specifically as a Safety--than he does as a Quarterback. That said, he had a very strong year for a Cranford team that finished 7-1 in the New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL) American Division in 2024. For his play, Sawicki was selected to the NJSYFL 8th Grade All-Star Game, where he played both of his positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Additional Quarterbacks To Keep On The Radar</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Adam Krok</strong> | Sussex County - The Sparta QB was named 2nd Team All-Freedom Conference in the Morris County Youth Football League (MCYFL)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>CJ Steih</strong> | Union County - New Providence Pioneers QB selected to the New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL) 8th Grade All-Star Game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Declan Warner </strong>| Essex County - Glen Ridge Red Dogs QB selected to the Bergen County Junior Football League (BCJFL) All-Star Game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Erik Czajkowski</strong> | Morris County - Served as QB1 for Rockaway and was named Honorable Mention All-Freedom Conference in the Morris County Youth Football League (MCYFL)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1525821' first='Patrick' last='Williams Jr.'] </strong>| Hudson County - Played QB for Jersey City this past season and looked very athletic this past November. His film was on his Instagram, but changed IG handle and I have not been able to track it down since.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Sean O'Brien</strong> | Hunterdon County - Del Val United QB selected to the New Jersey Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL) 8th Grade All-Star Game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Intriguing Quarterbacks Without Enough Information</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398501' first='Elijah' last='Banks'] </strong>| Gloucester County - Looks like an athletic prospect (5'11, 130 lbs.) but has no regular season film and did not include a fall 2024 team.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1631695' first='Tommy' last='Fletcher']</strong> | Monmouth County - Size is intriguing (5'11, 130 lbs.), but film is private as of January 2025</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Anthony Ingrassia</strong> | N/A - Listed at 6-foot-2 and 175-pounds, but has no film available as of January 2025</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>CJ Crook </strong>| Burlington County - Size is intriguing (5'10, 140 lbs.) but has no film posted as of January 2025</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->